Nicole Bridger Fall/Winter 2013 at Eco Fashion Week

It's been almost a month since Nicole Bridger kicked off the most recent Eco Fashion Week season with one of her most high-concept shows to date. Bridger's fall/winter 2013 collection, titled "You Are Not Alone," emphasized themes of connection and empathy, seeing beyond first impressions and snap judgments to form genuine and meaningful bonds with your fellow man or woman. To push this theme, male and female models alike—long of limb, sleek of torso, possessed of a graceful sense of androgyny—took to the catwalk in Bridger's signature womenswear. Their gender was almost indistinguishable upon first glance, inviting lingering gazes and, hopefully, a genuine connection.

According to the backstage hair and makeup artists from sponsor La Biothestique, the inspiration was androgynous punk à la this Numero magazine cover. Think short spiky hair, perhaps tousled and tomboyish, and smouldering smudged eyes.

Carrying the theme of connection even further, models paused and greeted each other with a touch or gesture at the beginning of the runway. As for the clothes, they were classic Nicole Bridger with a tailored twist. Plenty of easy separates and dresses in an array of jewel-toned jerseys were in evidence. But there were also flowing trousers, tailored and moto-inspired jackets, long cardis that could double as outerwear, and even a sleek peacoat. These are clothes meant for Vancouver living, grey skies and casual vibe and all.